This specifically debunks the myth that selling shares is equivalent to receiving a dividend.

Letting large pools of unused cash sit on the balance sheet wastes resources

Dividends come from excess cash that management deems unlikely to be reinvested at attractive returns Assuming all cash can be reinvested intelligently ignores that most businesses cannot deploy all cash

Paying a dividend converts discounted balance-sheet cash into cash received at full dollar value If cash remains on the balance sheet and a shareholder sells, the sale price can be less than the cash's

That discount exists because of uncertainty about when cash will be distributed, how it might be allocated, and the risk it could be wasted

Proceeds from selling shares come from the buyer, so sale prices differ between sellers and can fluctuate by the second Undistributed cash on the balance sheet is typically valued at a discount by the

Many people claim that receiving a dividend is the same as selling stock That claim is misleading at best and false at worst Dividends are paid by the company, with every shareholder receiving a proportional

Selling shares of a stock is NOT the same as receiving a dividend Difference explained:

thanks, glad you think so - sometimes stepping away is the best move for sanity

IT'S THOUSANDS LOST IN THE FUTURE...

$1 invested at 20% annual returns becomes: $53 after 20 years $20,283 after 50 years (reported 10-year CAGR is 24% FYI) Every dollar spent on nonessential items isn't just a dollar lost today...

People underestimate how much $1 can grow $1 invested at 11% annual returns becomes: $8.94 after 20 years $238 after 50 years (typical S&P 500 returns here) BUT WHAT IF THERE WAS A WAY TO ACHIEVE 20%

Starting is the most important step

If stock market volatility is too much to handle, stop checking the market

Members get the treasure-hunt experience; shareholders benefit from consistent dividend income as a welcome complement

For long-term dividend-growth portfolios, COST provides steady compounding through modest, dependable raises and a durable business model

Not a high-yield name — the low yield reflects strong capital appreciation driven by the membership model (high renewal rates, periodic fee increases), pricing power, and massive scale

Long-term dividend growth coupled with a conservative payout ratio (typically under 30%), leaving ample room to reinvest in growth, new warehouses, and member benefits

Reliable quarterly distributions Recent step-up from $1.16 to $1.30 per quarter beginning in 2025 — roughly a 12% increase

Most recent payment: $1.30 per share, paid Feb 13, 2026 (ex-dividend date Jan 30, 2026). That results in a trailing 12-month dividend of $5.20 and a current yield of roughly 0.51% based on share prices